(Reuters) -Diageo will shut one of its Crown Royal whisky bottling facilities in Ontario, Canada by February 2026, as part of efforts to improve North American supply chain, the world's largest spirits maker said on Thursday.

The London-based company said its strategy is to shift some of its bottling volume closer to U.S. customers.

Diageo did not specify how many jobs will be lost, but said it will support impacted employees and work closely with labour unions.

The Amherstburg, Ontario plant bottled Diageo's Crown Royal Canadian whisky; the operations will be shifted to its Valleyfield, Quebec facility.

The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka reported a smaller-than-expected fall in annual profit in early August, soothing investor concerns in tough market conditions.